1905 History of Crawford County Kansas

A most noticeable fact in the business world is that young men are controlling the avenues and arteries of trade, are conducting important industrial and commercial interests and are rapidly working their way to the front in the professions. Take any western community and therein it will be found that the real leaders in business are men who perhaps have not yet attained the prime of life, but who, possessing the enterprising and progressive spirit which dominates the west, have made for themselves a name and place as representatives of financial interests. To this class Jesse C. Hiett belongs. He is engaged in the real estate business in Girard, Kansas, and although but a young man has secured a good clientage in his chosen field of labor.

He was born in Crawford county, Kansas, March 26, 1876, and is a son of James M. and Sarah L. (Brown) Hiett, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Illinois. James M. Hiett, after leaving the Old Dominion, became a resident of Illinois, and the year 1874 witnessed his arrival in Crawford county, Kansas, where he secured a tract of land and began agricultural pursuits. He was thus actively engaged until about three years ago, when he put aside the arduous duties of the farm and retired to private life, establishing his home in Girard, where he is now enjoying a well merited rest and the fruits of his former toil. In the family were five children, namely: Arthur E., who is now a resident of Pittsburg, Kansas; Julius S., who makes his home in San Francisco, California; Jesse C., of this review; Hattie May, the wife of Hugh Gregg, of Girard; and Earl C., who is at home with his parents.

In taking up the history of Jesse C. Hiett, a native son of Crawford county, we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known here. He is indebted to the public school system for the early educational privileges which he enjoyed, and when he had completed the work of the common schools he entered the high schools at Cherokee, Kansas. He has always made his home under the parental roof. In March, 1901, he became a member of the firm of David & Hiett, real estate agents of Girard, but this connection was maintained for only four months, at the end of which time Mr. Hiett purchased his partner's interest and has since conducted business alone as a real estate, fire insurance and loan agent. He has thoroughly informed himself concerning the realty values in this part of the country, and he also does considerable business in the other departments of the undertaking, to which he directs his energies. He makes a specialty of Kansas and Missouri farm lands, is also emigrant agent for the Frisco Railroad. Mr. Hiett belongs to Girard Lodge No. 55, I. O. O. F., of Girard, and he gives his political support to the Democracy. He is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles of Girard, as a charter member of Eyrie No. 869. He served as township clerk for three years, but otherwise has never sought or desired public office, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs, wherein he is meeting with creditable success.